Kakamega county signs MoU to operationalise Sh1.2 billion fertiliser plant

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa. [Benard Lusigi, Standard]

Kakamega county has signed a deal with Practical Action and Regen Organics to operationalise the Sh1.2 billion Regen Organic Fertiliser Manufacturing plant in Matawa, Mumias West constituency.

During the signing of the agreement at Kakamega Golf Hotel, Governor Fernandes Barasa said the partnership is aimed at addressing sustainable waste management.

"In my six-point development agenda for Kakamega county, Health and Sanitation are at the forefront and this agreement is a testament to our collective commitment to advance these priorities in a meaningful and impactful way," said Barasa.

The governor said the project will create a healthier county for residents. "This move ushers in the critical era of applying cutting-edge technology and innovation to recycle waste. In this case, organic waste will be converted into fertiliser and protein animal feeds and this is for effective waste management," he said.

Barasa announced that the proposed establishment of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) through the collaboration will play a crucial role in modern waste management systems by focusing on the sorting, processing, and recovery of recyclable materials from waste streams.

"Once established, the Material Recovery Facilities will lead to enhanced recycling efficiency, reduction of landfill use, resource conservation, job creation, environmental conservation as well as public awareness and participation," he said.

The governor said the project will create job opportunities for youths and attract investment in the recycling of glass, plastics, e-waste and organic waste.

"It is our responsibility as a government to contract waste actors to support the county in cleaning our towns and municipalities as well as transporting the waste to designated dumping sites for recycling, re-use or disposal," he said.

Barasa noted that the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022 proposes phasing out dumpsites and setting up material recovery facilities where segregated waste will be transported.

"I wish to direct that all our contractors unequivocally support this initiative and ensure that Regen Organics receive all the available organic waste for the production of fertilizer and protein animal feeds," he said.

Tim Mwangi, Head of Programmes, Practical Action, Kenya said the initiative was timely and will create jobs and improve livelihoods.

"This project is to ensure we deliver for the people of Kakamega county, we are facilitating lasting and locally-owned solutions for clean energy, sustainable agriculture, climate change, and water, sanitation, and waste management," said Mwangi.

Mwangi noted that the plant will incorporate 4,000 tonnes of organic household waste annually from 15,000 households in Kakamega.

"This project will inject resources into the waste economy by paying waste aggregation centers to supply high-quality household organic waste for fertiliser production. Waste collectors will, in turn, offer household waste collection services at affordable prices, provided households separate their organic and inorganic waste," he said.

He was optimistic that the project will reduce environmental pollution by limiting waste dumping hotspots in Kakamega, particularly in low-income settlements.

US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman attended the ground-breaking of the fertiliser plant in Matawa last year.

The project lies on a 49-acre piece of land and is being constructed by Regen Organics through US-Kenya Investment Mechanism.

Regen Organics Managing Director, Michael Lwoyelo said the plant will be completed in 18 months.

Lwoyelo explained that the plant aims to turn waste material into fertiliser and will benefit more than 600,000 farmers.

The US government has pumped $2.65 million into the project to boost economic growth by supporting organic companies.